Tagged News

• New facial recognition cameras installed at Valley ports of entry Play Video

  February 14, 2020 10:04 PM

  PROGRESO – New biometric technology is now activated at the border. Facial recognition tech was setup at Rio Grande Valley ports of entry this week. People walking back into the United States will have to go through an extra step in the verification process. Customs and Border Protection... more »

• Local Congressman Discusses Impacts of Proposed Spending Bill Play Video

  December 17, 2019 6:03 PM

  WESLACO – The annual budget for the United States government is one step closer to getting approved. Part of the nearly $1.4 trillion budget includes border security. After the House of Representatives voted to pass the budget Tuesday , CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke with Congressman Henry Cuellar. This... more »

• McAllen Waits for Immigration Reimbursement as Charities Get Approval Play Video

  October 14, 2019 9:30 PM

  MCALLEN – Reimbursement checks are heading to the Rio Grande Valley as payback for helping during the immigration crisis earlier this year. A charity is already making plans for the more than a half million dollar refund. Last year, Catholic Charities racked up $601,000 in expenses for housing... more »

• $2M in Federal Funding Headed to Valley Law Enforcement Play Video

  October 3, 2019 9:40 PM

  WESLACO – More money is headed for local law enforcement. Hidalgo and Starr counties are to receive more than $2 million in federal funding. The Operation: Stone Garden funds will help cover expenses for immigration and border-related calls. Hidalgo County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office assisted the feds... more »

• More Than 200 Entry-Level Jobs at CBP Coming Soon Play Video

  October 3, 2019 5:36 PM

  WESLACO – More job openings coming soon for Customs and Border Protection. Congressman Henry Cuellar announced more than 200 entry level positions will be added. The agency’s manpower strained over the summer. During the migrant surge, Border Patrol pulled many agents from duties on the border to... more »

• CBP to Operate Counter Defense Drones with AI Technology along US-Mexico Border Play Video

  October 1, 2019 5:54 PM

  WESLACO – Customs and Border Protection are adding more security to the U.S.-Mexico border. With smugglers using new devices, new technology will help federal officers push back. CBP spent $1.2 million on counter defense systems to fight the numerous ways smugglers are using drones to their advantage. ... more »

• Brooks Co. Rancher Worried About Rise in Immigrant Deaths Play Video

  August 14, 2019 4:29 PM

  FALFURRIAS – A Brooks County rancher is worried about a rise in immigrant deaths this summer. He says he is seeing more traffic on his property in recent months. Dr. Mike Vickers owns a lot of ranchland in Brooks County. He says he has noticed with the... more »

• First Look Inside McAllen Border Patrol Processing Center Play Video

  August 12, 2019 12:11 PM

  MCALLEN – There are more than 1,200 people inside the Border Patrol Processing Center in McAllen. Agents tell CHANNEL 5 NEWS those numbers have dropped over the last few months. The media was invited to tour the facility Monday to see where immigrants stay, shower and get medically... more »

• MPP Migrant Drowns Attempting to Re-Enter U.S. in El Paso

  August 1, 2019 3:39 PM

  EL PASO – A migrant woman under the Migrant Protection Protocol in El Paso drowned trying to enter the United States for a second time. Vilma Mendoza, 20, initially entered the United States on July 4, according to the Guatemalan Consulate in Del Rio. She was placed in... more »

• CBP to Finalize Proposed Border Wall Route in Starr Co. Play Video

  July 11, 2019 6:14 PM

  ESCOBARES – About 52 miles of border wall is proposed for Starr County; where it will finally go up is a big question. The proposal with adjustments to try and limit negative impact was sent last week. Customs and Border Protection is asking county officials to meet their... more »

• Pharr Int’l Bridge Changes Hours of Operation to Implement Pilot Programs

  July 9, 2019 1:17 PM

  PHARR – Officials at the Pharr International Bridge announced new hours of operation in an effort to implement temporary pilot programs. According to a press release, the pilot programs are “designed to relieve congestion, increase truck throughput, and reduce border wait times” at the port of entry. The... more »

• Border Patrol RGV Chief Looks to Reimplement DNA Pilot Program

  July 5, 2019 5:33 PM

  WESLACO – Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Border Patrol Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief, Rodolfo Karisch, say a rising problem that needs to be stopped is people crossing with children who aren’t theirs. Karisch says it’s becoming a more common practice for those want easier access into the United... more »

• Federal Judge Orders CBP to Address Conditions in Processing Centers Play Video

  June 28, 2019 12:28 PM

  MCALLEN – A federal judge reached a decision on concerns raised by immigration attorneys after visiting Customs and Border Protection facilities housing migrant children in Texas, including the Rio Grande Valley. On Wednesday, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law filed a temporary restraining order against the government... more »

• Los Ebanos Woman Providing Aid to Migrants Passing Through Play Video

  June 20, 2019 6:31 PM

  LOS EBANOS – As hundreds of migrants are surrendering to Border Patrol agents every day in the Rio Grande Valley, some make their through the small town of Los Ebanos. There they are making a short stop at a church after they entered the country illegally. Miranda Barwick... more »

• Man Shot While Jogging along Levee Play Video

  June 20, 2019 10:15 AM

  BROWNSVILLE – Cameron County investigators say a man was fatally shot while jogging along the levee border. The victim is 57-year-old Miguel Angel Valdez Hernandez from Brownsville. Authorities say he was shot along the Rio Grande river leeve in Brownsville on Tuesday afternoon. A farmer found the... more »

• Border Agents Struggling to Keep Diseases Away From Home Play Video

  June 13, 2019 9:28 PM

  DONNA – The Department of Homeland Security says sickness and disease are following Border Patrol agents home from work. Agents in the Rio Grande Valley sector alone are managing over 250 migrant flu cases. More bodies to the border mean more risk of disease for the border agents.... more »

• Cross-Border Officials Share Training Tactics at Seminar Play Video

  June 4, 2019 5:49 PM

  MCALLEN – Federal authorities gathered Tuesday to share training strategies, including the Border Patrol’s Mexican counterparts. The dangers along the U.S.-Mexico border are similar; they hope to combat it using share approaches. Only about 14 federal law enforcement officers are taking part in the multi-day training. The... more »

• Valley Congressman Working on Federal Reimbursement for Migrant Surge Play Video

  May 30, 2019 9:31 PM

  MCALLEN – A Rio Grande Valley congressman is working to secure federal reimbursement for migrant care that fell on local tax payers this year. The reimbursements would apply to cities, counties, and non-government agencies along the border. McAllen resident, Enrique Temkin, says the migrant surge is too much... more »

• Starr Co. Businessman Wants Gov’t to Incorporate His Own Wall for Border Play Video

  May 30, 2019 6:27 PM

  NEAR FRONTON – Along the Rio Grande, the government has been wanting to build a wall for several years. A man who owns property has started constructing what he calls a “levee wall”. He wants the government to understand and work with the plan he already has. ... more »

• Starr Co. Land Owners Seek Higher Compensation Over a Decade Later Play Video

  May 30, 2019 5:34 PM

  RIO GRANDE CITY – More than a decade later, border land owners continue to fight for their property. On Thursday, three cases filed in 2008 were in federal court. Paxton Warner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in McAllen says they’re handling over 40 cases from 2008. Most... more »

• La Bestia: Dangerous Train Being Used by Immigrants Again Play Video

  May 23, 2019 6:02 PM

  WESLACO – After six years, a dangerous train known as La Bestia that transports immigrants is being used again. La Bestia or “The Beast” is a federal Mexican train that immigrants ride near the southern border, known for danger and extortion. CHANNEL 5 NEWS spoke to a Honduran... more »

• ICE Looking to Create Tent Facility in Valley Play Video

  May 22, 2019 6:33 PM

  WESLACO – More tents for housing immigrants are slotted to make their way to the Rio Grande Valley. This time, they're serving a different purpose. The details are described in a contract posted this week on a federal bidding site. Read the full 121 page contract here.... more »

• Immigrants Claim to be Bribed by Mexican Officials Play Video

  May 22, 2019 6:24 PM

  WESLACO – Thousands of immigrants claim to have been blackmailed as they headed to the border. Some told CHANNEL 5 NEWS the violence and corruption they thought they left behind is being seen along the U.S. southern border. They tells us they are willing to pay the price,... more »

• 32 Confirmed Cases of Influenza at McAllen Migrant Processing Center Play Video

  May 22, 2019 3:55 PM

  MCALLEN – Customs and Border Protection announced they re-opened their central processing center in McAllen after Tuesday night's temporary closure. According to CBP officials, there were 32 people in their custody who were determined to have influenza. They were all at the processing facility operated by the Rio... more »

• Assault Cases on Border Patrol to Surpass Last Year’s Numbers Play Video

  May 21, 2019 5:32 PM

  WESLACO – Assaults on Border Patrol agents are on track to pass last year’s numbers. CHANNEL 5 NEWS has reported three Border Patrol assault cases in the past two weeks. In fiscal year 2018, there were 422 incidents of assault on agents; this equals to 35 assaults a... more »

• Border Patrol Rescues 33 Immigrants Discovered in Trailer in Falfurrias Play Video

  May 21, 2019 12:06 PM

  FALFURRIAS – Customs and Border Protection officers in Falfurrias rescued more than two dozen illegal immigrants crammed in a trailer. The failed human smuggling attempt happened Monday night. Officers at the checkpoint referred the driver of a pickup truck hauling a trailer to a secondary inspection. Watch... more »

• Brooks Co. Sees Increase in Bailouts Involving Immigrants Play Video

  May 17, 2019 5:14 PM

  FALFURRIAS – Two hours north and close to 100 miles from the southern border, the scenery is different. Hundreds of immigrants are surrendering to Border Patrol agents and local police in the Rio Grande Valley, but some manage to slip by. Many of them end up in Brooks... more »

• Increase in Immigrants Results in 4 Additional Soft-Sided Temporary Facilities Play Video

  May 17, 2019 4:55 PM

  MCALLEN – U.S. Customs and Border Protection are adding more temporary facilities in order to provide additional shelter for immigrants awaiting their turn to be processed. Agents and other personnel tasked to patrol the border have been re-assigned to construct four temporary structures at both the McAllen and Rio... more »

• Border Patrol Agent Assaulted in Roma, Suspect Charged Play Video

  May 16, 2019 3:23 PM

  ROMA – A fight along the border left a federal agent injured and a suspect behind bars. A group of immigrants surrendered in Roma earlier this week; a number of them fled. An agent went after and found Jose Bueso hiding in an abandoned house. Court documents... more »

• Border Patrol Balances Caring for Asylum Seekers and Protecting Border Play Video

  May 8, 2019 6:40 PM

  MCALLEN – Border Patrol agents face the difficult task of caring for hundreds of asylum seekers and protecting the border. Within the past seven months, nearly half a million foreigners from 127 different countries have crossed into the U.S. without permission. Hundreds of people have been waiting at... more »

• Slow but Steady Progress at Site of Border Project Play Video

  May 6, 2019 10:10 PM

  MISSION – Progress has been slow at a construction site for a border security project but there have been some changes. The project is taking place south of Mission at the Federal Parido Banco Wildlife Tract. There are now several new construction vehicles and the remaining soil appears... more »

• Valley Police Dept. Assisting Federal Agents with Border Security Efforts Play Video

  May 3, 2019 5:44 PM

  LAGUNA VISTA – Humanitarian efforts along the border, as well as a border wall, have been a big focus. Laguna Vista is one of the small towns in the Rio Grande Valley working hard on border security in order to keep communities safe. The police chief of the... more »

• DHS Requesting More Troops at Border Play Video

  April 26, 2019 9:00 PM

  WESLACO – The Department of Homeland Security is requesting 300 more troops be sent to the border. The troops could be placed in roles which would place them in direct contact with detained migrants, such as driving the buses and providing them with meals. The request also includes... more »

• Contract for CBP Tent Processing Centers Approved Play Video

  April 19, 2019 10:44 AM

  WESLACO – The contract to begin construction of "soft sided structures" that will function as temporary processing centers along the border was approved Thursday, Apr. 18. Customs and Border Protection filed the fast-tracked contract six days prior to its approval. Within the documents they stated they needed to... more »

• Effects of Immigration Influx at Southern Border Play Video

  March 27, 2019 6:56 PM

  WESLACO – As more immigrants continue coming into the country, the need for resources continues increasing. Border Patrol says that's impacting border security operations along our border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said they are making their own decisions to address the increase in immigrants coming to the border.... more »

• DHS Secretary Speaks with Local Law Enforcement on Border Security, Need for Change Play Video

  March 21, 2019 5:02 PM

  MCALLEN – The Secretary of Homeland Security met with local law enforcement to discuss immigration and border security. Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen met with local sheriffs and immediately demanded change from Congress. "This is not a manufactured crisis. This is truly an emergency, our system is breaking. The flow... more »

• CBP Arrest Man Attempting to Smuggle Nearly $1M in Methamphetamine

  March 15, 2019 12:48 PM

  HIDALGO – A man was arrested at the Hidalgo International Bridge after attempting to smuggle methamphetamine Wednesday. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the 44-year-old Mexican national was referred to secondary inspection on the bridge when K9 officers alerted officials. CBP discovered $940,000 worth of methamphetamine, weighing 47... more »

• Special Report: 'La Trampa', a Trap Laid Out for Migrants in Reynosa Play Video

  March 14, 2019 10:30 PM

  MCALLEN – The dangers immigrants face as they journey to the United States range from injury to kidnapping and death; the risks increase in Reynosa. A CHANNEL 5 NEWS investigation found cartels don't pose the only danger to migrants in Mexico. Immigrants know getting past the U.S.-Mexico border... more »

• Senate Rejects Trump Border Emergency as Republicans Defect

  March 14, 2019 2:00 PM

  By ALAN FRAM, LISA MASCARO and CATHERINE LUCEY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican-run Senate rejected President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southwest border on Thursday, setting up a veto fight and dealing him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he... more »

• Border Patrol: Facilities, Manpower Cannot Support Continued Increase of Apprehensions Play Video

  March 6, 2019 6:05 PM

  WESLACO – Border Patrol says there their resources are strained to the breaking point with the high number of people crossing into the U.S. illegally. Since October, the agency says the numbers of illegal crossings has doubled. Border Patrol says they apprehended 25,000 people in the Rio Grande... more »

• DHS Secretary Meets with Committee over Border Issues Play Video

  March 6, 2019 4:28 PM

  WESLACO – The Homeland Security chief is facing questions on Capitol Hill about the U.S. - Mexico border. The committee pressed U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen on the children apprehended without their parents and the president’s emergency declaration. Nielsen defended President Donald Trump’s decision to declare... more »

• Migrants in Caravan Being Deported, Moved to Reynosa Play Video

  February 18, 2019 5:58 PM

  EAGLE PASS – Migrants in the caravan near Eagle Pass are being deported by the Mexican government. The migrant caravan of nearly 2,000 people arrived to Piedras Negras, Mexico across the border from Eagle Pass; in response, the government and state sent many officers. The sheriff in Maverick... more »

• Nature Parks Experiencing Growing Concerns for Wildlife along Border Wall Path Play Video

  January 10, 2019 7:06 PM

  WESLACO – Endangered and threatened species that are in the path of the border wall could be affected as the push for border security continues. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is directly in the path of the border wall project. A section of the wall is set to... more »

• Pres. Trump Discusses Border Security during 1st Appearance in Valley Play Video

  January 10, 2019 6:23 PM

  MCALLEN – President Donald Trump’s first visit to the Rio Grande Valley was filled with cheers and protests, from the time he arrived to when he departed. Trump landed in McAllen at about 12:40 p.m. on Thursday for discussions on border security and to push for $5.7 billion in... more »

• Valley Mayor Anticipating Possible Arrival of Pres. Trump Play Video

  January 7, 2019 6:04 PM

  MCALLEN – A Rio Grande Valley mayor is anticipating the possible arrival of President Donald Trump. The topics that could be discussed include border security and port of entries. KRGV’s Angelo Vargas spoke with Mayor Jim Darling to see how he’s preparing. Watch the video above for... more »

• Pres. Trump Speaks about Border Security in Surprise Briefing Play Video

  January 3, 2019 8:22 PM

  WESLACO – The president held a surprise briefing Thursday afternoon. He invited three members of the National Border Patrol Council to speak about the border wall. The president spoke about the need for the wall and said thousands of people with criminal histories were attempting to come into... more »

• Financial Futures of Federal Employees Uncertain with Gov't Shutdown Play Video

  December 27, 2018 10:51 PM

  WESLACO – The financial futures of many employees are left hanging in the balance as thousands of federal agents work without pay. KRGV’s Sierra Pizarro spoke with a border security employee who is going through a second layoff while being employed by the government. “It's different because it's... more »

• Texas to Receive $2.3M in Federal Funding for Border Security Play Video

  July 17, 2017 5:04 PM

  WESLACO – The federal government will help fund security along the U.S.-Mexico border. Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday the state will receive federal funding for Operation Secure Texas. According to a state public affairs officer for the Texas Military Department, the federal government will pay $2.3 million to fund the... more »

• Brooks Co. Looking for Federal Funding for Border Security Play Video

  May 11, 2017 6:37 PM

  FALFURRIAS – Counties just north of the Rio Grande Valley are hoping to receive funding from the Trump Administration to secure the border. U.S. Representative Vicente Gonzalez is trying to get them recognized as border jurisdictions eligible for border funding. Brooks County is home to the Border Patrol Checkpoint and... more »

• Limited Resources Restrict Border Security Efforts Play Video

  February 16, 2017 10:07 PM

  WESLACO - Several federal agencies who guard the U.S.-Mexico border said their work sometimes seems not to be enough. Drug cartels work to get their product across the border. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigations work to stop them. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Charles Ray said the... more »